Follow the latest news after Israel launched strikes at Iran, a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between the two countries.

A U.S. defense official has confirmed to Newsweek that the United States was playing a role in supporting Israel's efforts to fend off an Iranian retaliatory strike following a series of large-scale Israeli attacks against Iran. "Yes, the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel," the official told Newsweek.